I keep thinking about this photo in contrast to the East Coast craziness we experienced this week: Earthquake DeeCee and Hurricane Irene. But, viewed with a bit of perspective, neither of these events caused devastation like we’ve seen around the world in Haiti or Japan or Indonesia or New Zealand. Nor can these events compare to unrest in the Middle East and droughts in Africa.

No building toppled onto of me.

No 20-ft waves flattened the landscape or carried my loved ones out to sea.

Hunger never gives me more than a twinge of discomfort.

Bullets and bombs don’t force me into hiding.

Yes,we snipe at each other over politics, but our elections are free and open.

We have a bad day when someone at work treats us poorly, or we get in snarled traffic, or the AC goes out. Heaven forbid the TV cable decides to act up and delay our “On Demand” selection.

We have SO much to be thankful for in our land of plenty.

Our astronauts’ point-of-view gives me such a rich perspective. In @Astro_Ron‘s photo above, I see our world at peace. Yes, Mother Nature seems on the warpath, but we humans can learn how to get along better. We can make better choices to live together as a global community of caring individuals. Can’t we?

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. — James 3:16-18

As you can tell, I feel reflective in the calm after the storm. How ’bout you? Ask yourself a few questions:

What do you care about most?

What excites you to get out of bed every morning?

What dreams have you left untouched?

What’s stopping you from achieving your dreams?

Do you want to make this world a better place? I do! Join others who feel the same on Fragile Oasis.